Quick-action switch



lC. H. BISSELL ANN. lc; SMITH. l

QUICK' ACTION swlTcH. .APPLgcATlN rLED. MAY`2, 19H.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL H. BISSELL AND FLOYD C. SMITH, OF SYRACUASE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS T0 CROUSE-HINDS COMPANY, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

QUICK-ACTION SWITCH.

Application filed May 2, 1917.

simple in construction and highly efficientand durable in use, and it consists in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed. Y

AIn describing this invention reference is had tothe accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a box or housing inclosing the switch provided with our invention.

Fig.l2 is a cross sectional view through the box and switch mechanism, the mecha- ".nism for effecting the quick action of the switch being shown in' crossv section, and partly in elevation. e

Eig. 3 is a fragmentaryview similar to that shownin Fig. 2 of the switch mechanism, the operating member being shown in v"a different position from that shown in ig 4 is a sectionall View on line 1 -4, Fi. 2.

ig. 5 is a fragmentary detail View showing the cams for releasing the locking means llaying thevaction of the spring on the switch member until the operating element has been moved a predetermined distance, that is, until it approaches the end of its throw. In this embodiment of our invention, the operating element moves in one direction as forwardly, to turn the switch om and in the opposite direction, or rearwardly to Patented Aug'. 10,

Serial No. 166,062. turn the switch ofl In'both instances, the spring is tensioned and the operation of the switch member delayed.

1 designates the movable switch member whichl as here shown includes a cross bar 2 carrying knives 3 which coact with contacts 4l, fixed to a suitable insulating base as 6, the knives 3 being here shown as hinged at 7 to the contacts 4. The bas'e 6 may be a panel board, but as here shown it is mounted ina housing or box 8.

12 designatesl a shaft for operating the switch member 1, this shaft being journaled in a suitable lfixed support as a hub 13 on the cover 9 of the box 8, the shaft having a rock arm or crank 14 at its inner end provided with means 15 for detachable securement to the cross bar 2 of the switch. As

here shown, the means 15 are jaws embracing the cross bar 2 and facing the axis 7 of the switch, the arrangement being such that the jaws 15 cannot be detached from the cross bar 2 unless the switch is open. As the cover 9 carries the switch, the cover cannot be removed except whenthe switch is off Said shaft 12 is arrangedv in axial alinement with the pivot 7 ofthe switch member.

17 designates the operating element or handle vand as here shown,`this element is mounted concentric with the shaft 12.'

vv18 is a torsion spring coiled about the axis of the shaft 12, and arranged to -be tensioned in one direction when the operating element or handle 17 is turned in a forward direction, and'to be tensioned in the opposite direction when the handle isoperated in a rearward direction. spring when tensioned in one direction tends to turn the switch member to its on position, and when tensioned in the other direction to turn theswitch member to its off position.

The operating-element 17 is here shown as .providedRwith a barrel 19 having an internal hub v2O mounted upon the shaft 12, and also with internal abutments 21, 22 on Hence, the

the inner wall thereof; and the shaft I12 is )rovided with a. crank havin@ an arm 23 or eccentric shoulder extending parallel to the of diHerent lengths and the other is located near the closedv end of the barrel. The 0perating element is also formed with means vfor operating the shaft' in case the spring 18,'breaks, and as here shown, this means is a shoulder, 19a arranged on the inner side flo of theendi'or head of the barrel in position to pick up the arm 23. This' shoulder 19 is preferably. located in position to engage the crank arm 23 and move the switch to its oif position. The barrel 19 is also formed with an external shoulder 19b for engaging afixed' point 7a on the cover and limiting 'the throw of the handle 17 when operatedto shift the. switch member to its on position. The crank arm 23 is on a disk oriplate 24 .mounted on the shaft 12 within the inner end of the barrel 19.

The spring 18 is here shown as coiled about the hub 20 which extends from the outer wall of the barrel 1 9 into the barrel and termi- 'and the end portion 25 or 26 that is so picked nates near the hub of the disk 24, the spring having opposite end portions 25, 26 for normally abutting against the abutments 21, 22, the arm 23 being arranged so that it can be picked up by either one of theend portions 25, 26 when the operating element 17 is moved in one direction or-the other,

up is moved away from its abutment 21 or 22 thus causing'theispring to jbe tensioned to tend. to turn the shaft; ffy

'The means for delaying the tu,y ning of the shaft 12 when the spring is being tensioned,

as here shown includes a lockcomprising aspring-pressed bolt 27 slidable in a guide 1n the hub 13, in a direction parallel to the shaft 12'into and out of spaced apart sock-v ets or perforations 28, 29 in the plate 24, it being arranged in one of said sockets 28, 29

when the'switch is on and in another "4.

socket whenv the switch is off. The lock is released after the operating element 17 has.

been moved a predetermined distance and the spring tensioned in one direction or the other, by means of spaced apart cams 30, 31 on the inner edge of the barrel, these cams coacting with a shoulder or pin 32 projecting laterally from the bolt 27. The movementof the shaft 12 in either direction is limited by a shoulder or lug 3 3 on the louter i;

face of the disk 24 abutting against shoul ders A34 on the hub 13, these shoulders being I l the end walls of a cutout in the end face of" the hub.

TheA operating element 17 is held in-posi.-

tion by a screw 35 threading into theend 'of the shaft 12`against a washer 36 which abuts against the outer-end4 of the hub of the operatingelement 17. l

The cover 9 and the barrel,f19 are provided with ears 37, 38 having perforations 39.for receiving the'shackles of pad-locks` or.. other locking instruments. -The ear 38 on'the barrel is always one side. or the other of the ear 37 on the cover anda pad lock is attached to each of said ears, and each padlock acts "as an obstruction to the ear to which the other padlock is attachedin the `well known manner. The keys for the padfrom the abutment 22 until the cam 31 engages the pin 32 of the locking bolt 27 and' shifts the. lockintg bolt against the action of itsspring out o the socket 28 ofl the plate 24. Thus, .the sprin 1'8 is free to move the shaft 12 by reason o its'arm 26 coacting on the crank arm 23.

When it is desired to again turn' the switch -to vits off p0sition, the handle 17 is moved in a reverse direction causin the end portion 25 of the spring 18 togpic up the crank arm 23 and' befheld from movement with the operating element while` the abutment 21 is movingaway from said end 25, 'thus tensioning the spring until the cam 30 engages the 'shoulder 32 and moves the bolt 27 out of the hole 29 of the lplate 24 to permit the spring 18 to transmit its force to the shaft 12. What we calim is:

1. In a quick action switch, the combinai tion ofv amovable switch member, a`n operating element movable in reverse directions, a spring interposed between said elementV and the switch member to transmit the motion of said element, and the operating element .having means for acting upon the spring to tensionthe same in one direction or the other when said elementismoved forwardly or rearwardly, means fornormally delaying the operation of the switch member in either direction by the spring, means for-releasing fthe-former means as the operatingfelement approaches the end of its throw in onefdirection or thepther, and means for limiting the movementgof the operating element, substan tially as alid for thef'purpose specified, 2. In aquick action switch, the combina?" r4tion of a movable switch member, an oscillat ing shaft connected to said member, a spring arranged to act. opposite directions on the shaft, an operatmg element connected to the spring to tension the same toact in one di` rection or the :other on the shaft, and means on the operating member for effecting a posi-.f tive connection between .said member an the shaft in case the springfails to funcliv l tion on the shaft,substantially as and for v,the purpose described. l

3.In a quick action switch, the combina tion of a movable switch member, an oscillatingshaft connected to saidswi-tch member,

having an eccentric shoulder, a spring arranged to act 1n opposite dlrectlonsv on the shoulder, an operating element connected to the spring to tension the same in one direction or the other, means for delaying the action of the spring When under tension on said shoulder,means for operating the delaying means, and means associated with the operating element for coacting with said shoulder to positively move the switch member when the delaying means have been released and the spring fails to act, substanl tially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a quick actionswitch, the combination of a movable switch member, an oscillating shaft connected to said member having an eccentric shoulder, a spring arranged to act in opposite directions on the shoulder, an operating element connected to the spring to -tcnsion the same to act in one direction or the other, means f r delaying the action of the spring when Inder tension on said shoulder, and means for operating the delaying means, said clement also having a shoulder arranged to engage the formen,

shoulder after the operating element has moved suiiiciently to tension the spring and the delaying means has been released, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

' 5. In a quick action switch, a movable switch member, a shaft connected to the 30.

switch member, an operating element mounted on the shaft and including a barrel arranged concentric with-the shaft, the barrel having internal spring abutments, a spring coiled about the axis of the shaft within the barrel andvhaving its end por-.

tions pressing in opposite directions upon the abutments, a crank mounted on the shaft and having an arm extending in position to engage either of the end portions of the spring and lift the same from safid abutinents during the operation of said element, means for normally locking the shaft from movement, and means for releasing the locking means, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

(l. ln a quick action switch, the combination of a movable switch member, a shaft connected to said member, an operating element mounted on the shaft and including a barrel arranged concentric with the shaft and having au axial internal hub on the shaft, the barrel having internal spring abutments, a spring coiled about the hub within the barrel and having its end portions pressing in opposite directions on the abutments, a crank mounted in thebarrel on the shaft and having an extension in position to engage either of the end portions of the spring tion of a movable switch member, a shaft connected to said member, an operating element mounted on -the shaft and having spring abutments, a coiled tension spring carried by the operating element and pressing in opposite directions on the abutments, means associated With the shaft for moving either end portion of the spring away from its abutment during the operation of said element in one direction, a spring pressed lock for normally holding the-shaft from movement, said lock being movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft and the cam carried by the operating element for moving the lock out of its operative position after the spring has been tensioned and the operating element has been moved a predetermined distance, substanl stantially as and for the purpose described.

8. In a quick action switch, a support, a movable switch member, a shaft connected to the switch member and journaled in the support, an operating element including a barrel loosely mounted on the shaft, a plate fixed to the shaft within the barrel and having a pair of sockets therein, a crank on the shaft having an eccentric shoulder eX- tending into the barrel parallel to the shaft, the barrel having internal spring abutments on opposite sides of the shoulder and spaced apart therefrom, and also having cams spaced apart on'its inner edge, a locking bolt carried by the support and movable into and out of said sockets, the bolt having a shoulder' arranged in the path of said cams, and a spring within the barrel and coiled about the axis of the shaft and having opposite end portions coacting with said internal abutmentsv and arranged to be picked up by said eccentric shoulder and thereby cause the spring to be tensioned during the movement of the operating element in one direction or the other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1n testimony whereof, we have hereunto signed our names at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, and State of New York, this 27th day of April, i917. 

